We live in a world faced with several critical challenges that deserve our collective attention. Everyday in schools and communities across the country—and in fact, the world—young people are daring to make a difference by tackling the challenge to create solutions to these important community problems.

Youth engaged in service-learning do not consider themselves to be “the leaders of tomorrow” because so many are stepping forward as leaders today. Through service-learning, young people are taking what they learn in the classroom and translating it into powerful ideas and action to create change in their own communities.

Celebrating Youth Who Dare To Change the World through Service-Learning

With support from the State Farm Insurance Companies Foundation, the National Service-Learning Partnership (NSLP) at the Academy for Educational Development is helping us shine a bold spotlight on the many ways in which we as young people are changing the world.

It is a national service-learning recognition program for youth, by youth. Through the We Are a Solution: Youth Changing the World through Service-Learning Multimedia Showcase, young people can express how they are transforming their communities, their schools, and even their own lives through service-learning. Through this showcase, youth will:

• Tell the world how education becomes more meaningful and school becomes more exciting when they are given the chance to put the skills and information learned in the classroom into action in the world around us.
• Spotlight the many ways in which youth are creating solutions to important community problems.
• Inspire others to bring learning to life by creating more opportunities for young people to learn and take action through service-learning.

Eligibility
Youth groups (e.g., classes, community-based teams, or clubs) grades K-12. This showcase is open only to legal residents of the U.S. who are in grades Kindergarten through 12.

When creating your entry, please keep the following in mind:

• All entries should be prepared in English.
• All entries must be the original work of the youth.
• Entries should not exceed three minutes in length.  Entries over three minutes in length will be disqualified.
• All entries must be able to be uploarded to YouTube.  please remember that copyrighted music is blocked by YouTube.
• All entries will be judged by a selection panel comprised of youth and adult partners. Please see Judging under the Showcase Rules section for more information.

The primary goals of this showcase are to (1) build awareness about the power and potential of service-learning; and (2) spotlight the important ways in which young people are creating meaningful community change through service-learning.

How to Enter
All entry packages must be complete and received by NSLP by January 22, 2010, 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). Limit one entry per youth group/team/class.

Prizes
Entries will be sorted into three divisions by grade level:

• Elementary School (K-5),
• Middle School (6-8), and
• High School (9-12).

A panel of expert judges will review all entries to determine the finalists. Entries by the finalists will be posted for online viewing and voting on the Partnership’s web site. Online voting by the public will commence on February 9, 2010, 8:30 a.m., EDT and close on February 23, 2009 5:30 p.m., EDT. The top combined score in each division will be the national grand prize winner. National grand prize winners will each receive a $500 award for their school or community-based organization to support future service-learning activities.

In addition to the national grand prize winners, there will be one regional winner in each division within each of the 12 regions located in the United States, for a total of 36 regional winners. The top combined scores within each division in each of the 12 regions will be the regional winners. All winners will be announced March 22, 2010.

Downloads

Showcase Application
Showcase Rules
Showcase Signature Page

Check out last year's winners and featured entries.
2009 Showcase Press Release